Sodexo expands contract with London’s Richmond University

Catering and facilities management company Sodexo UK & Ireland has won a three-year contract worth over £10m with Richmond, The American International University in London.

The new deal will see Sodexo provide a wide range of its facilities services across the university’s two south west London campuses.

The firm has provided the campuses with catering for the past nine years, but the integrated facilities management contract will see the university outsource the management of, among other things, its cleaning, security, reception, helpdesk, and grounds maintenance, to Sodexo.

The deal is one of the first of its kind for a UK university, according to Sodexo.

Tom Laskey, business development director for universities, Sodexo UK and Ireland, said: “We are really excited to have won this contract and to be able to apply the full scope and scale of Sodexo’s IFM capabilities, coupled with our student experience expertise."

As part of the contract, which starts later this month, 35 staff will join the existing Sodexo team.

Richmond, The American International University in London has around 1,500 students from 100 different countries. It has 16 buildings in total, with sites predominately in Richmond and Kensington.

John Annette, president and vice chancellor at Richmond said: “As we look to increase our student population and improve our student experience, it is vital that we have the right partner to help us with our estates strategy. We are confident that Sodexo can deliver this professional expertise and insight.”